The case of SK

SK was born on April 13, 1984. At three years of age, she was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect. Odim saw her on June 7, 1994. At that time he determined surgery was in order. An echocardiogram showed an atrial septal defect, with left to right shunting and significant volume overload.

On July 7, 1994, SK underwent surgery to close her ASD. In the notes that Youngson prepared after the operation, she wrote that there had been problems with the cannulation. In particular, Youngson wrote, it was necessary for Odim to replace a number of sutures that had been cut or torn during cannulation. Youngson concluded, "This is something that happens on a regular basis - purse string sutures are cut or torn when Dr. Odim is cannulating, often damaging the vessels." (Exhibit 20, Document 278 D)

In his testimony Odim said that he could not remember difficulties with cannulation or tearing the vessel in this case. There is no mention of any such incident on the medical chart.